Remembering Annika~

 Annika~

5-17-2012 - 1-26-2023

1-15-2021

The pain of losing our little Buhund girl is almost too great to bear...  

 Fall of 2021, Nika experienced bouts of vomiting.  It started out so seldom I passed it off as having eaten something she'd found & shouldn't have.  But by October, the problem had continued.  I asked Mari Jo & she recommended George Darnell, DVM.  We both liked him right away.  He reminded me of our friend & Vet in Washington.  The clinic was on his farm outside of town.  He had a calm, relaxed manner & Nika was at ease with him.  He suggested a fecal & urine sample - we did both.  The fecal came back negative & the uranalysis - normal.  We made a change in her food, hopeful that would solve the issue.  When it didn't, the next step was blood work.  We received the results from that in February of 22, everything was normal...

Nika turned ten in May!  She seemed so healthy & happy!  Through the summer, Nika was fine - the bouts weren't too frequent & she didn't have any other symptoms of a problem.  She'd traveled with Butch for four-months & lost some weight.  She'd also had more frequent bouts, which we both passed off as truck sick since it seemed to happen when they were in stop & go traffic.  

Once she was home, she started eating two-full bowls of food a day & quickly gained her weight back.  Along with the weight, her muscle tone returned & she was back to running the yard many times a day.  Her fur coat grew thick & shiny.  She was still experiencing episodes of being sick though. Through November, she held her own, but the problem still hadn't resolved, Dr. Darnell decided to try ulcer medication.  

The medication seemed to have no effect.  Through December it was a rare morning when she hadn't been sick during the night.  Now, she wasn't finishing her food.  That had never happened before.  I tried many different things, adding broth, etc.  She was forcefully vomiting, even during the day.  

Dr. Darnell suggested we have her teeth cleaned - just in case she had a cracked tooth.  I drove her to Omaha January 3rd.  The dentist said if every dog who came in had teeth as good as Nika's - he wouldn't have a job.  Dr. Darnell also decided to try a totally different type of protein & we switched her food over to Lamb.   For the first time in weeks, she finished off a bowl of food.  The next day though - she lost everything she'd eaten the day before.  There wasn't a morning when I didn't find a spot of bile.  Her weight had dropped & she had not been herself for many weeks.

Butch returned home 1/26/23 & could see right away Nika was failing...  I called Dr. Darnell & also called Dean in MX.  They concurred that Nika was probably suffering from cancer.  (Going the route of surgery wasn't one we wanted for her.)  We'd been fighting a battle we were sure we'd win...  The drive out to the farm was the most difficult we'd taken in many, many years... 

It was Nika, who helped us made the transition from living on an acreage to living in town.  The first of our dogs to live inside with us 24/7. Now, home alone - I feel her loss every step I take...  I'm reminded of how she would wait a few minutes - then quietly follow & pick a spot where she could keep an eye on me.  She attended Mat-making several times & was a regular at bible study.  She loved visiting her "Grama Doris"!  Evenings, she was to sleep on her pillow in the family room.  Every night, once we were in bed, there would be a little thump as she settled herself on the rug at the foot of our bed.

Rest in peace Nika~ We love you so very much...  The love you gave us & the memories we share - will reside in our hearts forever... 

Our Buhund girl~

__________________________________________

Patience Pays Off ~

 It took almost eight months, but Butch has his truck.  To go along with it - a real company logo & the newest version!  The process was interesting & more involved than I'd imagined.  

Traveler gets a spa day!

Yesterday morning after dropping his empty trailer off at the yard, Butch took Traveler to the truck wash.  There, the semi was hand washed & scrubbed from top to bottom to remove all the accumulated road grime.

Traveler - All Shiny!

After the wash, it was time to go to Buzz Graphics in Ogden, UT.  Traveler rolled in & the process began.  The only company logo's we'd seen were white lettering, except for on the white trucks, where black was used.  

Inside the shop~

Butch had no idea what color he would get, but he'd mentioned black.  Since Traveler has all black points - to use an equestrian term - we both thought black would look sharp.

The logo~

Butch was very happy to find out this logo would be black!   

Start of the application~

The process involved three applications on each side.  The truck number, DOT information & of course the logo.  

A practiced hand with the torch~

Butch said Rich was surprised he was interested in the process & mentioned other drivers just sat in their trucks.  Butch told him after spending up to 11-hours in the cab, he was more than happy to be able to walk around & watch the application.

Driver's side done!

The results were amazing!  After months of replacing paper signs - taped on with strapping tape - a real logo makes his job a little easier.  (He'd ordered magnetic signs for this truck, but they still had to be taped on.)  He's on a first name basis with most of the staff at the WY weigh stations :-) Is that a good thing I ask?  :-)

 The new logo~

It took longer than Butch expected - but was well worth the wait.  He'd been dispatched to the Salt Lake area anyway & there was time in the schedule to get it done.

Traveler ready to hit the road~

From West Haven, UT Butch returned to pick up the trailer & was on the road to Smithfield, UT for a load going to Carthage, MO.  At Schreiber, he hardly made it through the gate without getting compliments on the new logo.  

Of course, all of this put him behind for making the drive west.  I'd hoped he'd have time for a night here on the way.  Instead, he & Traveler will be out in the middle of NE Tuesday night.  When he called this morning, he was driving through snow in WY.  With luck we'll meet down south for lunch tomorrow before he makes his midnight delivery.  After that - he'll be on his way Home!

Wintry~

 I can't think of a more pleasant word to describe January - at least so far.   I do know I can probably count the days with sunshine - on the fingers of one hand!  Temperatures have been in the chilly range...  The last week of the month, the chilly will be replaced with downright bitter cold!  The forecast shows six days in a row, of highs only in the teens.

1-7 - Timber Trail, 3:30 p.m. 

I get out every day, usually with Nika.  On those rare days when the sun is shining, I take advantage & we stay out until my fingers go numb.  When the wind blows, I have trash to pick up, the downside of living downwind from neighbors who don't cover their garbage.  The Racoon family tears into it & one of them was hit by a car & killed last week.  I've had to put on my tall boots & wade across the creek a few times now to pick up what gets blown across. 

1-17 - 4 p.m.

Last Tuesday was our warmest, brightest day.  I decided it was time to move our fire pit down to the creek & try burning one of the two piles of branches stacked there.  It only took a couple minutes to have a nice little fire going.  I put Nika on her cable & she had a great time.

Nika enjoying fresh scents~

I spent the rest of the afternoon feeding the fire & managed to burn all of the smaller pile.  I put the wire lid over the firepit.  As I moved my chair away from the fire - I felt the cold instantly.  I was amazed at just how much heat my little fire had put out.  

1-18 - Backyard 2 p.m.

The following day - the sun was gone again.  Replaced by a sleet/snow that covered some of the ground but didn't show on the grass.

1-18  Ice on the trees~  3:00 p.m.

I watched as the trees down by the fence were covered with a light layer of ice.  Yesterday, the snow we'd received on the third, had finally completely melted away.  Last evening when I went out with Nika, we were both surprised to see light flakes falling.  Just enough to cover everything with another layer of white.  Not enough to shovel, I just used the broom this morning to sweep it off the walks.

1-22 - The Cabin 12:30 p.m.

The Echinacea has held up well without any heavy snowfall.  The birds still pick at the seed heads each morning.  They're so pretty with the caps of white snow.

1-22 From the top of Timber Trail, our Woods~

The woods too, are beautiful all in white.  This snow stuck to the branches & I love the look.  We're not getting nearly the snow we usually do with these storms...  We're so desperate for the moisture...

Butch has managed to stop by home for two different nights since Christmas.  He's planning to be here for a couple days of home time this coming week!  It was snowing this morning in UT when he called.  I'm already looking forward to a warmer day or two - before the deep cold sets in!  

Fooled by Sunshine ~

 The day started out just beautiful!  Sunshine, a very light breeze & feeling of warmth in the air.  The temperature climbed into the low 40's by noon.  Looking at the weather forecast - today was the last before rain/snow & temperatures dropping back into the 20's for the last half of the month.  I was determined to get in another ride.  Lake Manawa has become my go-to place in the winter months.  Close enough to home & nice hard surface trails.

1:43 p.m. Toward the Park~

Of course, as luck would have it, by the time I had lunch & loaded Smokey, the clouds had moved in & the wind had picked up.  A totally different look to the day from earlier.  Just into the park, two people riding electric bikes came past from the other direction.  When they saw me, they started peddling.

Far edge of the old campground~

When I stopped to call Butch - my fingers got cold - even through my gloves holding the phone.  I did have the wind to face on the long western side along Indian Creek.

Along Indian Creek~

It was an eerily beautiful afternoon.  The feeling of a change coming was all too obvious.  I still won't complain - since we need moisture so very badly.  The west coast is getting slammed with storms.  The east coast too - yet here in the middle of the country - we're still bone dry. When we do get a little rain, it's only been less than half an inch.

Zoomed in - across the lake~

I put my phone's zoom mode in as far as it would go, to get the above photo.  I also supported it on the bench & am pretty happy with how clear the picture turned out.  It looks almost like the skyline of tall buildings is right on the far side of the lake - instead of miles away.

Of the five groups of people walking dogs, four dogs were off leash...  I usually just stop & dismount to walk past rather than take a chance of getting knocked off my bike by a rambunctious dog.  Still - why is it so difficult for people to follow the rules?

Clouds heavier~

I made a final stop at my favorite place & enjoyed a brief sunbreak before the clouds thickened.  I could feel the temperature drop & decided it was time to move on.  Going back, the wind was at my back, which really helped.  At the Explorer, I hurried to get Smokey loaded & turn on the heat.  It ended up being a really nice ride - especially for just the middle of January!

Winter Riding at the Lake~

 On Sunday when Mari Jo & I walked the dogs, the surface of the trail was hard enough to ride.  Yesterday, it was so nice, instead of going up to Lake Manawa as was originally the plan - we tried riding the Wabash from Silver City.  That was a mistake!  With the temperature going up to 50, there was just enough warmth to soften the trail & we ended up getting our bikes covered with mud.

1:50 p.m. leaving the north Wabash Trailhead

With only one more day of warmer temps, this week, I drove up to the trailhead for a much-needed ride around the lake.  It wasn't as warm as yesterday & the clouds tried to move in, but the wind was light.

Going under I-29

 I stopped before I went under I-29, watching the traffic going by & checking out the red semis.   I knew Butch wouldn't be on that road, but I watched anyway.  I usually take the same route, because it gives me the prettiest trails on the last half of the ride.

The old campground~

Vehicles had driven around the gate to the old campground & the small, discarded liquor bottles told the tale.  (They also littered the ground at the trailhead.)  The For Sale sign was off to the side in the weeds, so I still don't know what the next phase will be for the property.  I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Far side of the Indian Creek Bridge

The long stretch along the creek, doesn't seem as long when you're not riding into the wind!  I reached the south side of the lake in no time at all.

Toward Omaha on the horizon~

I stopped at my favorite spot & sat a while, enjoying the day & the feeling of remoteness.  We have yet another year with thin ice on the lake.  No ice fishermen were out on this day!

Looking back at Smokey by picnic area~

It was getting chilly; I tried a couple times to take my jacket off & ride in just my thermal top & vest.  That didn't last long before I was stopping to put my coat back on!  The sun was getting lower in the sky by the minute.

3:50 p.m. Smokey loaded & heading home~

I'd been out for two-hours & enjoyed the smooth surface for 14-miles.  Driving home, I looked over at the house as I was coming down the last hill by the school.  Traveler was sitting in the cabin's driveway! 

Traveler, all cleaned up!

Butch had left Dresback, MN this morning & was running on re-caps.  He hadn't mentioned he only had six-hours on his clock.  I didn't expect him home & he wouldn't have been if he'd had more drive time.  He used 30-min. of personal conveyance to make it home. We took Traveler up to Council Bluffs for dinner - then went through the truck wash.  A truck drivers' version of date night!  I'll take it!

New Year's Day Ride!

 For the first time in over 40-years, we weren't together on New Year's Eve.  Butch was stopped for the day in the mountains of Wyoming - driving this direction.  He had a clear, cold, star filled night as did I.  It was an uneventful end to the year & there's nothing wrong with uneventful!  

After Butch's all too short hometime over Christmas, I took down all the holiday decorations.  I wanted to start the new year - with a fresh slate.  Last Friday, Nika & I did get out on the trail with Mari Jo & Gracie. The snow had melted off the concrete surface & the air smelled fresh & clean.  I mentioned I planned to get in a ride at Lake Manawa as soon as the weather permitted.  Mari Jo thought it a good idea too.

At the Council Bluffs trail head~

We debated between yesterday & today.  Yesterday was sunshine but wind.  Today we had clouds & no wind!  We pulled in at the same time & couldn't wait to get out on the trail.  Mari Jo mentioned it had been a while since she'd ridden this way.  I was looking forward to showing her my loop. 

Along the golf course~

The temperature was just over 40 & we'd had broken cloud cover since early morning.  It was a quintessential winter day!  We couldn't believe our luck.  My tour included all my favorite spots & views of the lake.

Lake Manawa - view south from the north end.

Mari Jo appreciated the route for all the same reason's I do.  We enjoyed the smooth surface trails - after a season of riding on limestone.  

Indian Creek Bridge~

The afternoon skies were beautiful.  It was a quiet day without the usual wind.  We only passed two other riders on the trail.  The final stop on my route is usually the far picnic shelter.  It has such a great view across the water of Omaha.

South side of the lake, looking north~

The lake is the lowest I've ever seen it.  Just a rough guess - 18+ inches lower than what would be normal for the time of year.  We're promised moisture in the coming days - hopefully a good soaking rain.  Moisture of any kind at all - even white - would be welcome.

View east~

There were only a handful of people walking & one family on bikes.  Three deer were enjoying the fresh grass in the new campground as we went by.  A Hawk gave us a fly-by too.  We completed our ride of 14-miles in under 2-hours, including stops.

Our route~

Arriving home, I called Butch to see where he was - hoping he'd make it home for the night.  I-80 east bound in Wyoming, had closed in front of him earlier today, but after a delay of about 40-min. was reopened.  West bound was closed shortly after.  Butch said when he left Laramie, it was full to the brim of semi's waiting to continue on west.

Butch & Traveler~

By 8:21, he was home - a 620-mile drive - with 1:09 left on his clock!